In The Passionate Teacher, Ron Fried describes the Game of School (GOS) as what happens when teachers and students forsake intellectual work and instead engage in their classes as rituals. Take this opportunity to consider this chapter in light of some of the the other experiences that you've had this semester to answer at least three of the following questions:
What elements of the game of school are you seeing in your placements?
How have you seen teachers fight the game of school in their classes?
What features can you plan into your units that might discourage the GOS?
Finally, what impact will this description of the GOS have on your own approach to teaching as expressed in your teaching philosophy?
It is very interesting to me how the teachers respond to particular situations. Some of the teachers that i have had interactions with complain about everything that happens throughout their day. My CT on the other hand deals with things as they come and keeps teaching. She was explaining to me about her SLOs (Student Learning Objectives) and how they can interrupt your teaching day if you allow it to. She doesn't allow it to get in the way of her and her student's learning. Another example of the game in my CT's classroom is evident in one class in particular. This class is called intense resource and it has nine student with IEPs. These students really need individual attention in the classroom. This one class is co-taught with a special educator. It is clear that passing the NECAP test is not the main priority for these students. My CT has settled on the fact that she will do everything in her power to just teach these students how to read, that would be success. She explained to me that that is not enough for what the state mandates but she really has no choice. At every chance possible, she makes her lessons engaging and thought provoking. She mainly does this through life-applicable lessons.
Through watching her, it has been clear to me that all teachers have to remember what their main job is. To Teach. The main office will try to dictate what goes on in the classroom without ever stepping out from behind their desks. As teachers we have to advocate for our students. Their learning is most important for their success and we must never forget that. The GOS will influence my teaching philosophy by reminding me of why i want to be a teacher. I want to make a difference in the lives of the students. They deserve my very best everyday without the distractions of SLOs, NECAP scores, or my evaluation getting in the way of instruction.
Observation / Reflection #4: The Game of School
In The Passionate Teacher, Ron Fried describes the Game of School (GOS) as what happens when teachers and students forsake intellectual work and instead engage in their classes as rituals. Take this opportunity to consider this chapter in light of some of the the other experiences that you've had this semester to answer atleast three of the following questions:
It is very interesting to me how the teachers respond to particular situations. Some of the teachers that i have had interactions with complain about everything that happens throughout their day. My CT on the other hand deals with things as they come and keeps teaching. She was explaining to me about her SLOs (Student Learning Objectives) and how they can interrupt your teaching day if you allow it to. She doesn't allow it to get in the way of her and her student's learning. Another example of the game in my CT's classroom is evident in one class in particular. This class is called intense resource and it has nine student with IEPs. These students really need individual attention in the classroom. This one class is co-taught with a special educator. It is clear that passing the NECAP test is not the main priority for these students. My CT has settled on the fact that she will do everything in her power to just teach these students how to read, that would be success. She explained to me that that is not enough for what the state mandates but she really has no choice. At every chance possible, she makes her lessons engaging and thought provoking. She mainly does this through life-applicable lessons.
Through watching her, it has been clear to me that all teachers have to remember what their main job is. To Teach. The main office will try to dictate what goes on in the classroom without ever stepping out from behind their desks. As teachers we have to advocate for our students. Their learning is most important for their success and we must never forget that. The GOS will influence my teaching philosophy by reminding me of why i want to be a teacher. I want to make a difference in the lives of the students. They deserve my very best everyday without the distractions of SLOs, NECAP scores, or my evaluation getting in the way of instruction.